Drone Rules & Regulations in Africa

If you are traveling to #Africa and would like to bring a #Drone for personal filming or commercial shooting, they are rules and regulation in Africa that you need to know before you travel.

With new rules in Africa, we would recommend commercial drone users to rent a drone in the country you are travelling to so that you don’t face difficulties at the airport.

According to Drone Traveler, the drone laws in Africa are very conservative. In many countries, however, there is still no regulation or is not transparent understandable for foreigners. It can only be hoped that the rules will ease in the future.

Tanzania

The import of drones is permitted in Tanzania. However, it is not permitted to fly over national parks.

If you are bringing a drone in Tanzania in its original packaging box, you will have to pay import duties and tax at the airport or port plus show proof that the drone is registered by Civil Aviation Authority in Tanzania.

I know the rule sounds impossible, but thats how the Aviation Authority has made it.

We would recommend you to find someone you know in Tanzania that can register the drone in your name before you arrive.

And if it’s your personal drone, we would recommend you to remove it from the box and use a shoulder bag to carry the drone to escape the import and duty charges. But still in this condition you still have to register the drone.

Steps to Register Drone:

1. Download and Fill the application letter which should be addressed to TCAA and Ministry of Defence. 2. Provide necessary documents like identity details, drone serial number. 3. Pay around 118,000 tshs for registration to TCAA and if you want another 118,000 tshs for insurance which is not a must according to TCAA. 3. After submitting, you will recieve a reply in about 7-10 days upon submission stating you have been registered. 4. Keep the document with you at all times when flying the drone.

Algeria

When one of our readers arrived in Algeria, his drone was seized by the police. According to the officials, drones are prohibited in Algeria. Imprisonment threatens.

Botswana

In Botswana, some permits are required to fly with a drone. This means that each copter must be registered and receives a certificate. Foreigners need an import permit before entering the country with a copter to Botswana. In addition, you may not fly in many areas (for example, wild animals, tourism facilities such as hotels, national parks) if you have not obtained any special permission.

Ethiopia

Before the flight a permit from the Ministry of Communications is necessary ($ 50 for photography and $ 100 for the drone). In addition, you should be sure to recalibrate before each drone flight the compass in Ethiopia because of the volcanic activity and the resultant differences in the magnetic field.

Maximum altitude: 150 meters / 500 feet

Ghana

Since September 2016 all copter owners must register their equipment in Ghana. You need the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority if you want to bring you drone into the country or if you want to buy a drone in Ghana. Before your trip to Ghana you should contact the CAA. Pilots without registration can go to jail up to 30 years.

Kenya

In Kenya drones are considered prohibited. If you want to operate a drone in Kenya, you need a permission by the Ministry of Defense and the aviation authority (KCAA). Drones are confiscated when entering the country and stored until you leave Kenya.

Madagascar

Morocco

Since March 2015, the government has banned the import of drones for security reasons. Companies may use drones in Morocco only with a special permit. The private use is however completely prohibited. Some readers have reported that authorities seize drones at the airports.

Namibia

Rwanda

All drones must be registered in Rwanda before the flight. This registration can be done only by citizens. If you’re planning to fly in Rwanda with your copter, then you need a local contact person in whose name the drone is registered. All other rules are very transparent explained on the website of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. Some of these requirements include the maximum distance between pilots and drone of 300 meters and the labeling of the UAV.

“Any person operating a drone have liability insurance of not less than $1 million”.

“We pay between Rwf800,000 ($928) and Rwf1,000,000 ($1,160) for third party insurance, because drones fall under the category of aircrafts,” said Olivier Dukuze, a music video director, who uses drones in his business.

Night flights

“Though night operations are still not permitted the new regulation allows for commercial operators wishing to take part in night flights to apply for clearance from the civil aviation authority, which will consider the applications “on a case by case basis.”

“Drone operators are required to hold a valid Remote Operator’s Certificate (ROC) that is issued by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. The certificate costs Rwf50,000 ($58) for every day of operations”. (ROBERT MBARAGA)

Zimbabwe

South Africa

In South Africa, a drone can fly up to 500 meters from the pilots.

Maximum takeoff weight of the UAV for private flights: 7 kilogramsConditions for commercial drone flights: For commercial flights many conditions must be met. Please check the link below.Maximum altitude: drone can fly as high as the highest object in 300 meters’ radius or a maximum of 120 meters – what counts is the lower heightFrequency provisions for FPV: unknownHelpful links:Safe Drone